Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-01-21
Plain Questions for Honest Democrats.
PooLEsvILLE, MD, Jan. II, 1887.

PooLEsvILLE, MD, Jan. II, 1887.
Editor Sentinel.
Several years ago, after a ticket had been
nominated by the regular Democracy in the
city Of Baltimore, popularity called the "old
Judge ticket" an independent movement
was organized for the purpose of defeating
1t. The cry was raised that the old Judges
were subservient to corporations, and that
criminals went at large unwhipt of justice.
AT the head Of this movement were Mayor
Hodges and Bernard Carter, and it was
more than whispered that Senator German
pulled the wires behind the scenes for the
purpose 0f breaking down the political
prestige of William Pinckney Whyte. That
movement succeeded, and we have certainly
pure judiciary in the city Of Baltimore.
In the counties We were told then to keep
the party intact, and let reform go on inside
tbs lines OF the party. We did so.
gain in the memorable contest for Mayor
in the city Of Baltimore an independent
movement Was started outside the party TO
correct abuses, whites no one denied existed
and we were told again not to fight outside
the party, but that the party was strong
enough 10 remedy all the existing evils
within its own organization. The result of
the election last November one year ago Is
our answer " those who would carry US
beyond cur own lines.
But when we meet together as Demo
Gratis, and have TO confront the fact, which
no one In the State has the audacity to deny,
that the elections In the city of Baltimore
are solemn mockery, that majorities are
manufactured TO suit the needs of the time.
that no one can be declared elected without
the sanction of the ward bosses, when on
the streets Of Rockville men holding high
position gleetully declare that Morris
Thomas is clear lightning" that Eugene
Higgins ward is safe for a thousand" and
when we reflect that we are responsible for
this condition Of affairs, ask you, fellow
Democrats, Is it not time for us, at least, to
confer together?
II vote is taken on the question of hold
ing Constitutional Convention, a majority
OF twenty or even forty thousand could be
manufactured In the city OF Baltimore, and
the expressed wish of the people of the
State overridden.
As party, with our overwhelming ma
jority, We must be responsible for this con
dition OF affairs. Is IL healthy? Does II
suit your Can you deny the factsg R,c-
oilect, We are now inside the folds of IA
party. We do not purpose following tht
high example Of even German, an %
outside.
Do you know that Of the last batch 9,
Judges of Election, appointed by the present
Supervisors, two are in the penitentiary Tor
murder and large number of the remain
der are under indictment, and this after III
lists had been nominally purged after tn;
murder OF Currani Do you know that the
Grand Jury of Baltimore city says that tins
err l.,tl- l.
have been committed without the design oi
those In power, and that this jury was com
posed largely OF representative Democrats
What then do We propose to doy | an
swer, send Delegates, through our nom.
mating conventions, who will vote for NJ
man for the nomination for Governor win,
is not thoroughly committed ~ the pplicy
oil giving honest Supervisors Of Election ia
the city Of Baltimore. Send Delegates To
the Legislature who will throw around tn
ballotbox all the safeguards that are posi-
Bile, and who are honest enough 10 lcgislate
Tor the good of all without regard TO the
bsss power
The Baltimore Sun makes poor defense
Tor the. present system when il asks, shave
we not honest Judges and honest juries 10
deal with these people?" We have honest
Judges and honest Grand Juries in the
counties, but have they n0t declared In sew
eral Of the counties that it was utterly i'm
possible 10 carry cut the loca option law
AS matter Of fact, is not this law violated
every day and every hour right here In
Montgomery, and 1t ia impossible To bring
the violators TO light? How much more
difficult where they are backed up by those
high In power
With me, at least, this is no fight asaiad
the ins, or the present Office holders A very
large majority OF those app llntel 10 fed .ra
positions, in this couniy, have my highes
respect. | am no "Disgruntlei D1moIrlt,"
but believe in common honesty and oril
nary integrity in political affairs. II You
point 10 my keeping company with Coweu
or Brad. Jahnson, | will put you ts bed
with Hodges, Garter and the b lltim IRE Sun.
Can you find anywhere greater "kickers"
than thcscg IL during this conference OF
party men In cur own wigwam We give You
stubborn facts, do not answer that We are
hitting at German, and that we wish tO 4.
stroy the party. 60 with all my might,
for whomsoeyef please bcfore the nomina
tons, regardless OF whom IL suits--alter
that try TO be
"A DEMOCRAT"